There is no reason for it to be illegal. That said, speeding is illegal, underage drinking is illegal, prostitution is illegal, basement poker games are illegal, throwing pennies away is illegal... how much does legality matter?
A lot, if you get caught, unfortunately.
I think prison terms for most crimes are excessive, but pot takes the cake. Anything over a year is utterly fucking ridiculous.
I'll steal some stats from Connecticut, to pick the state that came up first in Google:
For simple possession:
At least four ounces of marijuana
First offense: up to 5 years in prison, up to a $ 2,000 fine, or both
Subsequent offenses: up to 10 years in prison, up to a $ 5,000 fine, or both
Less than four ounces of marijuana
First offense: up to 1 year in prison, up to a $ 1,000 fine, or both
Subsequent offenses: up to 5 years in prison, up to a $ 3,000 fine, or both
If you're curious, here is the felony code in Connecticut, regarding murders and such.
(1) For a capital felony, a term of life imprisonment without the possibility of release unless a sentence of death is imposed in accordance with section 53a-46a; (2) for the class A felony of murder, a term not less than twenty-five years nor more than life; (3) for a class A felony other than murder, a term not less than ten years nor more than twenty-five years; (4) for the class B felony of manslaughter in the first degree with a firearm under section 53a-55a, a term not less than five years nor more than forty years; (5) for a class B felony other than manslaughter in the first degree with a firearm under section 53a-55a, a term not less than one year nor more than twenty years, except that for a conviction under section 53a-59(a)(1), 53a-59a, 53a-70a, 53a-94a, 53a-101(a)(1) or 53a-134(a)(2), the term shall be not less than five years nor more than twenty years; (6) for a class C felony, a term not less than one year nor more than ten years, except that for a conviction under section 53a-56a, the term shall be not less than three years nor more than ten years; (7) for a class D felony, a term not less than one year nor more than five years, except that for a conviction under section 53a-60b or 53a-217, the term shall be not less than two years nor more than five years, for a conviction under section 53a-60c, the term shall be not less than three years nor more than five years, and for a conviction under section 53a-216, the term shall be five years; (8) for an unclassified felony, a term in accordance with the sentence specified in the section of the general statutes that defines the crime.
The mere fact that punishment for marijuana possession even approaches the punishments for murder and manslaughter is completely batshit insane. Partaking in the ganja is about a third as bad as killing a man.
Don't even get me started on the incongruity between the fine totals and the prison terms. 10 years of
the only life on this Earth that you will ever have is not equivalent to five fucking grand.
